My love for The Son of Man and Christianity as a way of life is infinite, however, I find it impossible to believe in a metaphysical world.
This poem is my personal view of God, Jesus, and Mary Magdalene. Please do not continue reading if you are easily offended or intolerant of other peoples' views.
This poem is largely inspired by the novel The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis.
An ancient war is being fought again. The Fallen Angel mustered all his legions and the battle rages on for forty days and nights.
The armies of the mighty kingdoms
have assembled in the desert
to proclaim to the sounds of trumpets
their allegiance to the great King.
Thirst and hunger plague his body
and the Darkness mocks the Prophet
to a feast of wine and stones.
Visions of the blessed city rise
with marble temples and cool gardens
and the Star spurs the saint to fly
to his golden throne in Salem in the arms of a thousand angels.
The Rabbi’s virgin daughter comes to him each night in dreams— sixteen years of sublime beauty.
She lies down in the dunes
with her crimson gown undone
and torments him through the night.
When the sun rises each dawn
where the lustful vision lay
a viper hisses, spits, and slithers away.
The Man falls on his bended knee, lifts his head up to the sky and cries "Your will is done, my Lord and King"
Read all the poems inspired by The Last Temptation of Christ
A few words about the poem…
Jesus' Transformative Forty Days and Forty Nights in the Desert | A Poem About God
In "Forty Days and Forty Nights," from the series “A Poem About God,” we enter a realm where we reimagine the ancient tale of Jesus in the wilderness. The Fallen Angel summoning his legions engages in a fierce battle against the forces of good, and the conflict rages on for forty days and nights. The opening lines set the stage for a profound struggle between light and darkness, as the armies of mighty kingdoms assemble in the desert proclaiming their allegiance to the False King.
The physical and spiritual challenges faced by the protagonist, Jesus, are vividly portrayed. Thirst and hunger plague his body as he endures the harsh conditions of the wilderness. The Darkness mocks the Prophet, tempting him with a feast of wine and stones, and seeks to undermine his divine purpose. This portrayal emphasizes the relentless nature of the battle Jesus faces, both externally and within.
Amidst the tribulations, visions of a blessed city manifest in the Prophet's mind. The imagery unfolds revealing marble temples and cool gardens, while the Dark Star serves as a guiding force urging the saintly figure to ascend to his golden throne in Salem. The allure of this paradise beckoning with the embrace of a thousand angels poses a powerful temptation testing Jesus' unwavering resolve.
The poet introduces a captivating element to the narrative—the appearance of the Rabbi's virgin daughter, Mary Magdalene, who visits Jesus in his dreams. Described as possessing sixteen years of sublime beauty, she becomes a symbol of allure and temptation. The vivid imagery continues as she lies in the dunes with her crimson gown undone, tormenting Jesus throughout the night. This portrayal highlights the inner turmoil and desires that Jesus confronts on his journey.
As dawn breaks, the poet introduces a striking transformation. The lustful vision that attempted to entice Jesus, gives way to the presence of a hissing viper which slithers away. This symbolic representation suggests that the allure of temptation is transient and deceptive, with no lasting substance. The cycle of temptation and resistance becomes a recurring motif in Jesus' struggle.
The poem concludes with a poignant moment of surrender and submission. The Son of Man falls to his bended knee, and lifting his head to the sky cries out to his Lord and King affirming his unwavering commitment to the divine will. This declaration encapsulates the triumph of Jesus over the temptations he has faced, emphasizing his ultimate victory against the forces of evil.
In this evocative and idiosyncratic interpretation of the temptation of Christ, the poem offers a captivating exploration of the inner battles faced by Jesus in the wilderness. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, it delves into the complex interplay of desires, visions, and steadfast devotion. Inspired by Kazantzakis' novel “The Last Temptation of Christ”, the poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of temptation, the resilience of faith, and the triumph of spiritual resolve.
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